A 27-year-old temple safety guard in Tamil Nadu, who was detained on Friday for questioning in reference to a theft, has died, prompting allegations of custodial loss of life by his household.
Ajit Kumar, who labored as a guard on the Madapuram Kaliamman temple in Sivagangai — managed by the Hindu Non secular and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) division — was reportedly taken into custody by Thirupuvanam Police after a theft grievance was lodged by a 42-year-old devotee.
The complainant, who had visited the temple along with her household, alleged that over 80 grams of gold jewelry stored inside her automotive went lacking after she had requested Ajit Kumar to park the automobile. The girl had sought Ajit’s assist to park her automobile resulting from her bodily incapacity. As he didn’t know how one can drive, Ajit reportedly requested for assist from another person to maneuver the automotive. The girl claimed he returned the automotive keys an hour later.
Following her grievance, Ajit was detained for questioning. Although he was initially launched, his household claims he was taken into custody once more. Quickly after, police knowledgeable the household of his loss of life.
Ajit Kumar’s brother, Naveen, alleged {that a} whole of 5 males had been picked up and subjected to brutal assault throughout police interrogation. “5 individuals, together with me, had been taken and we had been on rounds and overwhelmed. She [the complainant] had requested him [Ajit Kumar] to park her automobile as a result of she was handicapped, however he didn’t know how one can drive. So he requested another person. Later, police stated the jewelry was lacking. They hit him badly,” Naveen stated.
“They even hit me for half an hour earlier than him to steer him to admit. I used to be made to kneel… My brother had no prison background. He was gagged and overwhelmed,” he added.
Sivagangai District Superintendent of Police Ashish Rawat has ordered an investigation into the incident.
OPPOSITION CONDEMNS DEATH
Opposition leaders have condemned the alleged custodial loss of life and demanded the arrest of these accountable.
AIADMK Normal Secretary Edappadi Okay Palaniswami demanded a judicial probe, compensation for Ajit Kumar’s household, and authorized motion towards these accountable. He additionally focused Chief Minister MK Stalin.
“If somebody is discovered responsible, the individual needs to be arrested and produced in entrance of the court docket, not subjected to police brutality. I condemn the puppet CM who’s in command of the Police Division however unable to control it,” Palaniswami stated.
BJP State President Nainar Nagendran additionally expressed deep concern. “With family claiming that seven policemen beat Ajit Kumar for 2 days within the title of enquiry, it raises critical suspicions of a lock-up loss of life. Simply final week, three girls—together with a pregnant lady—who tried to file a sexual assault grievance had been attacked by a policeman. Now Ajit’s brother says they had been sure and overwhelmed inside a transferring automobile. This exhibits the rising sample of police brutality,” he stated, urging the Chief Minister to instantly examine and ship justice.
– Ends
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